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Abstract:

An apparatus for illuminating an area of interest of a user is provided.
The apparatus is received by the user's wrist and oriented such that the
area of interest is illuminated when pressure is applied to the
apparatus. The apparatus includes a band with a power source and an
illuminating device, and a pair of switches affixed to an outer portion
of the band, each switch able to allow the power source to provide power
to the illuminating device when pressure is applied to the switch. The
user may maneuver the apparatus and apply pressure to the switch to
enable the illuminating device to illuminate the area of interest and
release pressure to the switch to disable the illuminating device.

Claims:

1. An apparatus for illuminating an area of interest of a user, the
apparatus configured to be received by the user's wrist and oriented such
that the area of interest is illuminated when pressure is applied to the
apparatus, the apparatus comprising: a band comprising a power source and
an illuminating device; and a pair of switches affixed to an outer
portion of the band, each switch configured to allow the power source to
provide power to the illuminating device when pressure is applied to the
switch; wherein the user may maneuver the apparatus and apply pressure to
the switch to enable the illuminating device to illuminate the area of
interest and release pressure to the switch to disable the illuminating
device.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pair of switches are configured
to enable the illuminating device to produce a variable brightness output
based on a degree of force placed on the switch.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the pair of switches enable the
illuminating device when the degree of force applied to the switch is in
the range of 0.1-10 newtons.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein each switch comprises a plurality of
nubs.

5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the band further comprises a
plurality of apertures and a clasping mechanism, wherein the user may
adjust the clasping mechanism to fit one of the plurality of apertures so
the band can accommodate the user's wrist.

6. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the power source comprises a lithium
battery.

7. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the band comprises silicon rubber.

[0003] There are several applications where it is desirable to have a
wristband with an illuminating device. One area that could benefit from
such a device is the poker industry. Poker players often have a difficult
time viewing their "hold cards" in a protective manner when they are
wearing sunglasses, placed in a dark room or suffer from a condition such
as being visually impaired. Therefore, poker players would greatly
benefit from a wristband that can illuminate their cards with minimal
effort so they can focus on performing their best during the game.
Current illuminating wristbands have limitations because they are often
activated by a switch and require too much effort on behalf of the user
to operate the devices. As a result, these wristbands are undesirable
because they require users to manually adjust the illuminating device to
turn on and off via a switch. This operation distracts the users and can
have a detrimental effect on their performance. Additionally, the few
current illuminating wristbands do not offer a directed focus of light
and provide no benefit or aid in viewing a specific target.

[0004] As such, there is a need in the industry for an illuminating
wristband that allows users to illuminate an area of interest with ease
by placing pressure on the wristband.

SUMMARY

[0005] An apparatus for illuminating an area of interest of a user, the
apparatus configured to be received by the user's wrist and oriented such
that the area of interest is illuminated when pressure is applied to the
apparatus is provided. The apparatus comprises a band comprising a power
source and an illuminating device and a pair of switches affixed to an
outer portion of the band, each switch configured to allow the power
source to provide power to the illuminating device when pressure is
applied to the switch, wherein the user may maneuver the apparatus and
apply pressure to the switch to enable the illuminating device to
illuminate the area of interest and release pressure to the switch to
disable the illuminating device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0006] The detailed description of some embodiments of the invention will
be made below with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein the
figures disclose one or more embodiments of the present invention.

[0008]FIG. 2 depicts a side view of certain embodiments of the invention;

[0009]FIG. 3 depicts an exploded elevation view of certain embodiments of
the invention;

[0010]FIG. 4 depicts a sectional view of certain embodiments of the
invention; and

[0011]FIG. 5 depicts a sectional view of certain embodiments of the
invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS

[0012] FIGS. 1-2 depict certain embodiments of the invention. Apparatus 10
comprises band 12, apertures 13, clasp 14, inner cover 16, switches 18,
switch nubs 20, component compartment 22, LED 24, and LED aperture 25. It
shall be appreciated that LED 24 may be replaced with any other type of
illuminating device known in the field.

[0013] Band 12 may comprise any materials known in the field including,
but not limited to synthetic silicon, also known as silicon rubber. Band
12 may be adjusted to fit a user's wrist via apertures 13 and clasp 14.
Clasp 14 is constructed from stainless steel and contains a fastening
component such as a button system, which is similar to a ball cap. Clasp
14 is fastened and closed at one of apertures 13. LED 24 is a 3 mm, 2
lumen LED with a viewing angle of 30 degrees. This allows apparatus 10 to
direct light towards an area of interest while using a lower output light
to accomplish the same lighting as a wider viewing angled LED.

[0015] Switches 18, switch nubs 20, switch elements 30, printed circuit
board 32 and battery 34 enable LED 24 to illuminate when switch elements
30 receives pressure or a force. Generally, switch elements 30 activates
LED 24 with a force in the range of 0.1-10 newtons. This allows the
weight of a user's hand to provide sufficient force to activate the LED.
Circuit board 32 contains a mount for LED 24 and pressure sensors that
work in conjunction with switches 18, switch nubs 20 and switch elements
30. The pressure sensors comprise force sensitive resistors, which vary
the resistance in the circuit depending on the force applied to the
resistors. As a result, the brightness of the LED output will vary
depending on the amount force a user places on the switch, i.e., the
greater the force, the brighter the LED. The range of resistance in the
switch will be 1 milliohm with no pressure and 2.5 kilo ohms with full
pressure being applied. It shall be appreciated that apparatus 10 is not
limited to pressure switches and may also include a toggle on/off switch.

[0016] In operation, users adjust band 12 on their wrists using apertures
13 and clasp 14. Users will place pressure on one or both of switches 18
to activate LED 24, which can be oriented to illuminate an area of
interest. LED 24 is illuminated until the user discontinues pressure on
switch 18. As a result, poker players can easily view their "hold cards"
under poorly lit conditions by pushing switch 18 of band 12 against the
table. This activates LED 24 and the user can orient band 12 so the cards
are illuminated.

[0017] In an alternate embodiment, components of the pressure activated
illuminating apparatus may be incorporated into any other user wearable
devices, including, but not limited to, watches, MP3 players or other
portable devices.

[0018] It shall be appreciated that the components of the pressure
activated illuminating apparatus described in several embodiments herein
may comprise any known materials in the field and be of any color, size
and/or dimensions. This allows the apparatus to accommodate any variety
of illuminating devices and be used for any variety of applications. The
components of the apparatus may be manufactured using any known
techniques in the field such as injection molding and stamping processes.

[0019] While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present
invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised
without departing from the basic scope thereof. Furthermore, whereas the
multitude of embodiments disclosed herein each provide a variety of
elements within each embodiment, it should be appreciated any combination
of elements from any combination of embodiments is well within the scope
of further embodiments of the present invention.

[0020] Persons of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate that numerous
design configurations may be possible to enjoy the functional benefits of
the inventive systems. Thus, given the wide variety of configurations and
arrangements of embodiments of the present invention the scope of the
invention is reflected by the breadth of the claims below rather than
narrowed by the embodiments described above.

Patent applications in class WITH WEARING APPAREL OR BODY SUPPORT

Patent applications in all subclasses WITH WEARING APPAREL OR BODY SUPPORT